Abstract

The surveyed mines are located in a polymetallic vein, replacement, and skarn mineral district in the central Andes of Peru. Iscaycruz, which includes underground and open pit mines that produce zinc and lead concentrates, was the largest mineral deposit of an important group of base metal deposits in the Andes of central Peru. The deposits are sub-vertical seams of polymetallic ores(Zn, Cu, and Pb). These seams are hosted by Jurassic and Cretaceous sedimentary rock formation. The intrusion of igneous rocks in these formations originated metallic deposits of metasomatic and skarn types. The Raura mine is composed of polymetallic deposit of veins and replacement orebodies. The main sedimentary unit in the area is Cretaceous Machay Limestone. The Raura depression contains several orebodies each with different mineralization: predominantly Pb-Zn bearing Catuvo orebody; Ag-rich galena-bearing Lake Ninacocha orebody; Cu-Ag bearing Esperanza and Restauradora orebody. Huaron is a hydrothermal polymetallic deposit of silver, lead, zinc, and copper mineralization hosted within structures likely related to the intrusion of monzonite dikes, principally located within the Huaron anticline. Mineralization is encountered in veins parallel to the main fault systems, in replacement bodies known as “mantos” associated with the calcareous sections of the conglomerates and other favourable stratigraphic horizons, and as dissemination in the monzonitic intrusions at vein intersections.

Keywords polymetallic mineralization, deposit type, resources and reserves, Oyon mineralized district, Peru